The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the Acts of the Apostles, faithfully translated…The commentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the Actes of the Apostles, faithfully translated…

Of one Jesus. It is not to be doubted but that Paul entreated both gravely and with such vehemency as became him of the resurrection of Christ: But Festus by reason of his pride, thought it no meet matter for him to occupy his head about. He doth not in deed openly deride Paul▪ but he showeth plainly how negligently he hard him when he disputed of Christ. Whereby we see, how little preaching availeth, yea that it availeth nothing at all, unless the Spirit of God do inwardly touch the harts of men. For the wicked do lightly pass over whatsoever is spoken, as if a man should tell them a tale of Robin Hood. Wherefore there is no cause why the carelessness of many should trouble us at this day, seeing Paul prevailed nothing with Festus. But this place doth witness that many speeches did pass in the handling of the matter, whereof ⟨p. 557⟩Luke maketh no mention. For he had spoken nothing as yet of Christ: and yet this latter narration doth show that Paul entreated seriously before the Jews of his death and resurrection. Which could not be, but he must needs entreat of the principal points of the Gospel. Therefore I guess that Paul did so handle the matter, that when he had refuted the false accusations of the Jews, wherewith they went about to burden him before the governor, having gotten a fit occasion, he began afterward to speak freely of Christ.

Of one Iesus. It is not to bee doubted but that Paul intreated both grauely and with such vehemencie as became him of the resurrection of Christe: But Festus by reason of his pride, thought it no meet matter for him to occupie his head about. Hee doth not in deed openly deride Paul▪ but he sheweth plainly how negligently he hard him when he disputed of Christ. Wherby we see, how little preaching auaileth, yea that it auaileth nothing at all, vnlesse the Spirit of God doe inwardly touch the harts of mē. For the wicked do lightly passe ouer whatsoeuer is spoken, as if a man should tell them a tale of Robin Hood. Wherfore there is no cause why the carelesnesse of many shoulde trouble vs at this day, seeing Paul preuailed nothing with Festus. But this place doth witnesse that many speeches did passe in the handeling of the matter, whereof ⟨p. 557⟩Luke maketh no mention. For he had spoken nothing as yet of Christe: and yet this latter narration doth shewe that Paul intreated seriouslye before the Iewes of his death and resurrection. Which coulde not bee, but hee must needes intreate of the principall pointes of the Gospel. Therefore I gesse that Paul did so handle the matter, that when he had refuted the false accusations of the Iewes, wherewith they went about to burden him before the gouernour, hauing gotten a fit occasion, hee began afterward to speake freely of Christ.